Some sharks may be genetically predisposed to poorly integrate or otherwise ignore certain patterns the folks at the Australian firm Shark Attack Mitigation Systems (SAMS) have concluded. SAMS is a collaborative effort between University of Western Australia shark researchers, Professors Shaun Collin and Nathan Hart among others. How does it work? This is some of what they have to say about that on their website:

"Many years of anecdotal evidence suggests that a stripe pattern acts as a deterrent or repellent to sharks - but we now know there’s more to the story.

SAMS has applied scientific principles to this theory to discover that very specific contrasting, colours, shapes and dimensions work together for maximum effect. If you look closely, the stripes contain intricate detailing."

Homer: Not a bear in sight. The Bear Patrol must be working like a
charm.
Lisa: That’s specious reasoning, Dad.
Homer: Thank you, dear.
Lisa: By your logic I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away.
Homer: Oh, how does it work?
Lisa: It doesn’t work.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Lisa: It’s just a stupid rock.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Lisa: But I don’t see any tigers around, do you?
[Homer thinks of this, then pulls out some money]
Homer: Lisa, I want to buy your rock.

Dr. Walter Stark! Last I heard about him he was studying sharks in the Pacific via a wetsub (Sharkhunter). I read "Something Rich and Strange" a book he coauthored with Robert Schroeder when I was a kid about their coral reef studies in the Caribbean, great stuff! Didn't know he designed a rebreather, the Electolung? I remember seeing something years back about this striped suit, thanks for posting the link.